Yow brethren, our daughters are being abused and exploited. Our sisters are being raped. Our women friends are being objectified and commoditised, our mothers are being disrespected and we're witnessing it. And many of us know the perpetrators. Yet, when it comes to rape and gender-based violence, certain big voice man let off nothing but silence. Where's the chorus of condemnation against rape? Why oral sex and homosexuality get so much air time from entertainers but they're quiet about rape? It's time we start talking. Talk to our friends who we know doing the terrible deeds and tell dem fi leggo dat. Talk to the youths and show them a better way. And shake off the damn fear of being labeled 'informer', and talk to the authorities. Talk!

Why am I ranting like this? I never intended to, I had other plans for the box this week. But I saw an article in The Gleaner last week about a woman being sent to prison for aiding and abetting a rape. The woman held down her 13-year-old daughter while her common-law husband raped her. It's distressing. But it really got me panting and ranting when a respected brother emailed the story to some friends with the heading 'Sick mother'. Yes, his description of the woman is apt. Only a sick mother could do what she did, and she deserves punishment and counselling. But what 'bout the man? How it so hard for men to unequivocally condemn other men who do these things?

The mother in that case obviously needs help. And she's now off to prison while the rapist man run off and gone; most likely sharpening his claws and licking his lips in anticipation of violating another child. And there's probably a friendly brethren with him now, sipping his liquor or sharing his spliff, knocking fists with him and telling him that what he did isn't so terrible after all.

As depraved as her actions were, I think the mother maybe as much a victim as the child. I'm willing to bet that the woman didn't think up the idea. I am prepared to believe that she probably didn't really want to do it. But the man's the one with the power. He wields the power of fear and force, and financial resource. A poor weak woman in the face of that power and the threat of wrathful repercussions can easily do things she knows to be wrong. I'm not trying to condone her actions. I'm attempting to contextualise it.

When the 'school sex tapes' surface, we are all quick to denounce the females involved and act as if the boys are any better. If you ask me, in all the cases, the boys are worse because they initiated the crime. There's another 'school sex tape' making the rounds now. It's from a technical school in Kingston and the girl in this video is being clearly and aggressively forced against her will to perform oral sex on a male student. My response is one word: RAPE! But sadly, most Jamaicans won't agree. Especially men; we'll find all kinds of justification to criticise girls and ignore boys' behaviour. Well, dem bwoy deh a rapist and somebody need fi tell dem!

Man and man, if we love our mothers and respect our sisters - as we often loudly proclaim - we need to take strong action in supporting and defending them. And we can start by talking. We must talk up loud and clear, and without fear. It's no longer 'protect yu brethren and keep silent' time. Rape is an abominable and despicable crime!

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